Atomic Quantum Optics

One major theme of our research is the study of quantum effects in atomic systems and the light that is used to measure them. At the most fundamental level, we study light-matter interaction processes, which efficiently produce entanglement between light and matter, and are also central to understanding essential technologies such as lasers, and future technologies such as quantum computers. Only slightly more applied, we study how quantum physics shapes the ultimate performance of atomic sensors, for example showing how the exotic coherence properties of Bose-Einstein condensates can benefit magnetic sensing. At the most applied, we develop new atomic sensors for existing applications such as biomagnetism, and new applications for atomic sensors such as magnetic resonance imaging and searches for dark matter. 

This group has opportunities for outstanding Masters students, PhD students and postdocs. For more information, please contact Prof. Morgan Mitchell directly. Information on application procedures can be found on the ICFO jobs website.

• Group of Eugene Polzik, Niels Bohr Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Group of Jia Kong, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hanzhou, China
• Group of Gianvito Lucivero, Universita di Bari, Bari, Italy
• Group of Roberto Osselame, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
• Group of Lauri Parkkonen, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
• Group of Petteri Laine, MEGIN, Espoo, Finland
• Group of Iwona Pasternack, VIGO Photonics, Warsaw, Finland
• Group of Markku Lahti, VTT, Espoo, Finland
• Group of Jacques Haesler, CSEM, Neuchatel, Switzerland
• Group of Sae Woo Nam, NIST, Boulder CO, USA
• Group of Krister Shalm, NIST, Boulder CO, USA
• Group of Anton Zeilinger, University of Vienna, Austria

• ERC Starting Grant  (2012): AQUMET: Atomic Quantum Metrology
• ERC Advanced Grant (2023): Field-SEER: Field Sensors with Exceptional Energy Resolution